Justin: Because I wouldn’t want Americans to question GM’s seriousness about developing high-quality, fuel efficient vehicles for the American market. Now that the national interest is at stake, and all.

I say that GM should just hand over the Saturn dealers to Opel, get rid of the Saturn name, and let them run the show in the US for their own cars. Train the sales force to deny any connection to GM unless they’re subjected to waterboarding. GM needs to face the fact that it’s US brands are so tainted that large segments of the US population will never buy a vehicle with one of their nameplates attached. They desperately need a new brand and I think Opel is the way to go.

@Pch101: The Honda Element and Mazda RX-8 have smaller rear suicide doors with a hidden B-pillar which dictates that they be closed first and opened last. I’m guessing that GM did this so the rear passengers could open/close the door on their own.

I’m surprised. Usually you only see suicide doors on concept cars because it’s the most practical way to make the interior visible from far away… not because anyone meant the production version to have them.

The current Meriva ought to have been the transplant Saturn needed to give it some distinction from it’s competition: the car is 40/20/40 split-reclining rear seats, a nice, tall roof and lots of useful space. Drove well, too, if not excitingly so.

Of course, it probably would have cut into Vue sales at the least, and possibly into Aura sales as well. And as a result it likely wasn’t considered, even though it’s much more interesting and practical a car than the Matrix, and a little more substantial than the Fit or Versa

Pretty cool, I like the suicide doors also, always have. I agree with PCH101 the B pillar looks out of place and overly large. That car would look really cool with sliding doors all the way around, front sliding forward, rear sliding back. Me and my crazy design ideas.

Too bad GM won’t bring that over here, instead we get 4 versions of the same CUV, 3 versions of a different CUV, 3 versions of the same sedan, 2 versions of the same Korean tin can, and a bunch of the same truck based SUVs.

I’m guessing that GM did this so the rear passengers could open/close the door on their own.

I’m sure you’re right, but it doesn’t look particularly good. If they can’t conceal the B-pillar, I’d put normal doors on the back. I think that they’re trying to justify the exterior appearance of the continuous door handle, but in my opinion, it doesn’t really work.

The rest of the styling is alright, though. For that class of car, it otherwise looks pretty attractive.

Rough in parking lots, but on the other hand those suicide doors would be a godsend for parents struggling with car seats, or anyone struggling with a big bulky object to load.

Overall a nice vehicle, and an obvious midsize sedan replacement for many young families or smart people.

I added the second category, because I think GM is wise to refrain from introducing “new” at this time. The Astra is a solid vehicle, worthy in many ways. I wouldn’t consider one, because as RF pointed out prior to it’s launch in NA, it was destined to fail.

GM must pare the products it offers to the bone, and only return to innovation when the consumer is open minded and paying attention again. Possibly cars will be hovering at that point, I can’t say…